June 16, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

E-Cigarettes Could Be Regulated Same As Real Cigarettes In Santa Monica:

The act of vaping might soon be no different than smoking under the eyes of the law, as the Santa Monica City Council will be discussing this Tuesday the possibility of an ordinance to regulate e-cigarettes the same way as cigarettes.

Council members will only be discussing a City staff direction next week, but an ordinance could ultimately be in the works to include electronic smoking devices within the legal definition of “smoking.” If such an ordinance were enacted, vaping an e-cigarette would be exactly the same as smoking a regular cigarette. Accordingly, e-cigarettes would be banned everywhere regular cigarettes are not allowed.

City staff recommends the council move forward with a direction to define vaping the same as smoking.

“[The possible ordinance] would restrict the locations where e-cigarettes can be consumed,” City staff stated.

The potential City staff direction comes to the dais about three months after the council directed the City Attorney’s office “to research and analyze the regulation of electronic cigarettes with consideration of recent actions in neighboring cities.”

Just before that direction on March 18, nearby cities of Beverly Hills, Long Beach, and Los Angeles enacted laws expanding the prohibition of smoking to include e-cigarettes.

City staff stated it studied various news reports on the subject and weighed the “underlying scientific studies being cited by both sides in the debate” in determining its recommendation to the council. They also reviewed other e-cigarette ordinances and analyzed arguments against and in favor of regulating vaping as smoking.

An e-cigarette is a battery-powered device with a nicotine cartridge inside. The nicotine is dissolved into a combination of glycol and water, which allows the device to emit a colorless vapor free of tar or other substances generally deemed to be harmful. Accordingly, e-cigarettes have often been considered a less obtrusive alternative to traditional cigarettes.

According to City staff, e-cigarettes were introduced in China in 2003. The product arrived in the United States consumer market in 2008.

“During the past few years their popularity in this country has grown exponentially, especially among young people. For example, between 2011 and 2012 their use among American youth more than doubled according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” City staff stated. “The most common users are those who also smoke cigarettes.”

City staff added the business of advertising and marketing e-cigarettes is rapidly expanding, with ink and air time in favor of the alternative oral fixation making its way into television, radio, online and print advertisements.

“Unlike with cigarettes, there are no restrictions or regulations on e-cigarette advertising. Much of the advertising is directed at children, using social media and celebrities and featuring flavors such as Cotton Candy and Gummi Bear,” City staff stated.

Those who favor e-cigarette use argue the device is an effective tool for those addicted to smoking real cigarettes to chance to quit. E-cigarette proponents also state the devices are safer than regular cigarettes to both the user and anyone in the immediate area.

E-cigarette opponents, however, claim the devices actually allow people to become more, not less, addicted to nicotine, hence increasing the chances he or she will use regular cigarettes. Similarly, opponents state e-cigarettes are popular among teenagers and increase the chances of underage populations taking up the smoking of real cigarettes when the get older.

Another argument against e-cigarettes is that since some of them look so similar to actual cigarettes it becomes increasingly difficult to regulate and enforce anti-smoking laws.

E-cigarette opponents also point out the potential health risks of using the device are not full known, hence the act of vaping should be regulated until more information is made available.

In April, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggested for the first time a set of proposed rules potentially regulating e-cigarettes as a drug. The proposed rules, according to City staff, would ban the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, prohibit the free distribution of samples, ban e-cigarette vending machines in places where minors are allowed, and require the devices come with warnings that nicotine is addictive.

Advertising regulations and child-oriented marketing restrictions are not included within the FDA’s proposed rules, which is still in a public comment phase.

The sale of e-cigarettes to minors is already prohibited in California, according to City staff.

City staff stated at least 45 cities within California have already taken some form of regulatory action with respect to e-cigarettes. Boston, Chicago, New York City, Washington, D.C., and five other states currently regulate e-cigarettes as a tobacco product, City staff added.

in News
<>Related Posts

Senator Alex Padilla Forcibly Removed, Handcuffed at DHS Press Briefing in Los Angeles

June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

Security or Censorship? Padilla Removed After Questioning Secretary Kristi Noem U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., was forcibly removed Thursday during...

Film Review: Ballerina

June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

FILM REVIEWBALLERIINARated R125 MinutesReleased June 6th I’m happy to see the contrast in the style of movies playing this summer....

(Video) Senator Alex Padilla Being Forcibly Removed at Secretary Kristi Noem’s DHS Press Conference for Attempting to Ask Questions

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

In a disturbing and unprecedented move, FBI agents grabbed the sitting California Senator, dragged him out of the room, and...

THIS WEEKEND: Skate Series Hits Venice with $25K Top Prize

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

The Venice Beach event will showcase street-level action, judged on amplitude, trick difficulty, execution, style, and overall impression Skateboarders are...

Virtual Event to Explore Palisades’ Horticultural Heritage

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

The event will highlight how these trees continue to inspire community resilience and regrowth The Santa Monica Mosaic series will...

SMPD Announces Safety Measures Ahead of Upcoming ‘No Kings’ Rally on Westside

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

Enhanced patrols, rapid-response teams, and advanced technology for situational awareness are part of a detailed operational plan The Santa Monica...

THIS WEEKEND: Santa Monica Hosts 33rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

The event, which draws over 2,000 attendees annually from Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, and beyond, was first funded by...

World-Class Chefs and Local Farms Bring Culinary Magic to Santa Monica This June

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

3 Nights, 3 Unforgettable Dinners: Santa Monica’s Michelin + Farm Feast Series A trio of exclusive culinary events is set...

Third Annual Rosé on Rose Wine Fest Comes to Venice Beach This Weekend

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

Rosé offerings priced between $8 and $10 per glass at various Rose Avenue establishments The third annual Rosé on Rose...

Mastro’s Malibu Reopens With Ocean Views, Signature Steaks, and Nearly Entire Staff Intact

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

Iconic Oceanfront Steakhouse Returns With Its Beloved Butter Cake, Nightly Live Music, and Sunset Glamour After a five-month closure due...

Chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken Serve Up Pride Month Specials That Give Back

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

Limited-Time Food, Cocktail Offerings at Socalo and Alice B. Support LGBTQ+ Centers In honor of Pride Month, acclaimed chefs Susan...

New Gourmet Store O&V CA Opens on Montana Avenue

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

The store, which celebrated its grand opening recently, specializes in a carefully curated selection of fresh, extra-virgin olive oils  A...

Santa Monica Secures Nearly $1M to Expand Neighborhood Greenway Projects

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

The 36-month project, set to begin this summer, includes community engagement through pop-ups, walk audits, and a citywide survey Santa...

Congregation and Family Fight to Stop Sale of Historic Venice Church

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

Descendants and supporters rally against alleged unlawful sale, seeking historic status and legal action Members of Friendship Baptist Church and...

Rodeo Realty’s Palisades Office Becomes First Rebuild Post-Fire

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

The structure, now fully framed, is set to reopen this year Rodeo Realty announced that the reconstruction of its Pacific...